Event Description

First Presbyterian Church will celebrate the annual Kirkin’ of the Tartans worship service on Sunday, November 4, 2012. The Reverend John White, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, Tennessee, will lead the service. The Wolf River Pipes and Drums will integrate their unique sound, along with color and pageantry to the service.

The Kirkin’ of the Tartans service is an American tradition which celebrates the Scottish heritage of the Presbyterian Church. Kirkin’ comes from the word, “Kirk”, which means “church”. A Kirkin’ of the Tartans service is a “churching” or a blessing of those things Scottish, particularly the tartans or plaids that represent individuals, families, or Scottish clans. The Kirkin’ of the Tartans service asks God’s blessing upon the Church, the body of people. The first Kirkin’ of the Tartans service, developed by the Reverend Peter Marshall, Pastor of the New York Avenue Church in Washington, DC, was held in 1941. Since then many Presbyterian churches throughout the country have made this service an annual part of their worship.

Those attending the service are encouraged to bring a plaid swatch of cloth, blanket, or scarf representing family. A designated time during the service offers a processional to the rail of the church for placing tartans. The Kirkin’ of the Tartans service also includes a time for remembering and giving thanks for all the saints, church members, who have gone on to their eternal rest, and served God so faithfully before us. The service led by pipers, is a moving time of worship shared in joy and openness to receive blessing and recognize the historical faith of the Church in God.